Article

The presence of a galanin-like peptide in the gut neuroendocrine system of Lampetra fluviatilis and Acipenser transmontanus: an immunohistochemical study

Details

Citation

Bosi G, Shinn A, Giari L, Arrighi S & Domeneghini C (2004) The presence of a galanin-like peptide in the gut neuroendocrine system of Lampetra fluviatilis and Acipenser transmontanus: an immunohistochemical study. Tissue and Cell, 36 (4), pp. 283-292. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tice.2004.04.004

Abstract
Galanin is a brain-gut neuropeptide present in the central and peripheral nervous systems of vertebrates. In the present survey, the galaninergic and the diffuse endocrine systems of the alimentary canal of the river lamprey, Lampetra fluviatilis, and the white sturgeon, Acipenser transmontanus, were studied by immunohistochemistry. The results show the presence of galanin-like immunoreactive endocrine cells in the gut of L. fluviatilis. In addition, a galanin-like immunoreactivity was detected in enteric intramural neurons of both species. It is conceivable that the galaninergic system plays in both species a role in the regulation of the gut muscle contractility and in the modulation of mucosal secretive/absorptive processes. In A. transmontanus, the presence of galanin-like immunoreactive nerve fibres associated with components of the gut associated-lymphoid tissue is possibly correlated with a control of the defensive events at this site. The presence of a galanin-like immunoreactivity in the neuroendocrine system of these two ancient fishes confirms the hypothesis on the early occurrence of this regulative molecule in the gastro-enteric system of vertebrates.

Keywords
Galanin; Gut; Neuroendocrine system; Neuropeptide; Lampetra fluviatilis; Acipenser transmontanus

Journal
Tissue and Cell: Volume 36, Issue 4

StatusPublished
Publication date31/08/2004
Date accepted by journal22/04/2004
URLhttp://hdl.handle.net/1893/10237
PublisherElsevier
ISSN0040-8166